9/12/2017

One of MEA-MFT’s top priorities on the November 2018 ballot is the 6-Mill Levy, a statewide levy that Montanans have supported since 1948. It provides around $20 million per year to the Montana University System – all 8 campuses. MEA-MFT has members working on every one of those campuses.

9/25/2017

In July 2013, the American Federation of Teachers(AFT) awarded Montana an Innovation Grant tocreate the Montana Digital Professional Learning Network (MDPLN). This new online learning network was patterned after the Montana Digital Academy (MTDA), with the primary goal of addressing the challenges of distance,time, access, and equity in providing Montana educators access to quality professional learning opportunities statewide. Initial focus was to provide Montana English Language Arts, Literacy,and Mathematics Common Core training and ongoing coaching support for Montana teachers,as well as paraprofessional training for the MEAMFT PASS program.

9/20/2017

The National Education Association believes the diversity among educators, students, and communities is a great asset for public education.
NEA trainers from around the U.S. will present several workshops on diversity at the 2017 MEA-MFT Educators’ Conference. You’re invited!

9/11/2017

9/8/2017

The one and only MEA-MFT Educators’ Conference, the MOST comprehensive cross-grade, cross-curriculum professional development event in Montana, takes place in Missoula October 19-20, 2017. Pre-register here.

8/29/2017

8/29/2017

Recruiting and retaining highly qualified educators is of critical concern to Montana schools. The new National Board Certification (NBC) stipend will help. Learn more about the stipend and about NBC in Montana.

8/29/2017

A number of folks have asked if we agreed to hand the Montana Teacher of the Year Program over to Elsie Arntzen. No, we did not agree to hand it over. We are proud of the 22-year investment we have made in the program.

3/27/2017

3/24/2017

MEA-MFT, Montana’s largest labor union and affiliate of the Montana AFL-CIO, has announced that its Committee On Political Education (COPE) has endorsed Rob Quist for Congress in Montana’s special election.

3/23/2017

3/6/2017

The Montana State Teachers of the Year (MT STOY), a state affiliate of the National Network of State Teachers of the Year, has officially launched with the formal election of a slate of officers and approval of the organization’s bylaws.

6/20/2012

11/16/2016

As always, MEA-MFT leaders, staff, and members will be working hard every day during the 90-day session on behalf of public education, public services, the rights of working people, and other crucial issues that affect our members and all Montanans. Stay involved!

11/16/2016

The joint union bargaining team for Montana’s state employees met with the bargaining team from Governor Bullock’s office November 9. The two teams reached a tentative agreement on the next state employee pay plan.

10/28/2016

10/19/2016

9/30/2016

All MEA-MFT members invited! This is a chance to get together with MEA-MFT President Eric Feaver, several MEA-MFT staff members, and your fellow local MEA-MFT members for a fun and informal discussion of important MEA-MFT business.

9/14/2016

9/12/2016

8/3/2016

The annual golf scramble took place July 28 at Fairmont, raising funds and fun for our Montana Professional Teaching Foundation. Thanks to all the teams, sponsors, and volunteers who made it a big success!

6/30/2016

Seven Montana school teachers have been selected as the 2016 state finalists for the prestigious national Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) the nation’s highest honor for U.S. mathematics and science teachers in grades kindergarten through 12.

5/17/2016

5/17/2016

5/13/2016

Are you ready to take hold of your career, learning to lead in matters of practice and policy?
Do you ever find yourself thinking, “If more teachers were leading, then…”—and wishing you were one of those teachers?
Are you eager to make a difference beyond your classroom—but not sure where to begin?

4/4/2016

3/29/2016

The U.S. Supreme Court today delivered its decision in Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, affirming that public employees have a compelling interest in having strong and effective collective bargaining.

12/22/2015

MEA-MFT member Craig Beals, Montana's 2015 Teacher of the Year, has been tapped to host "Secret Earth," an hour-long special about the Yellowstone super volcano airing on the History Channel on Monday.

10/13/2015

9/28/2015

Take your teaching to new heights. • Reach your students in exciting new ways. • Learn from your peers: top teachers from across Montana & the nation. •Meet your needs for innovation and renewal units.
Our union, MEA-MFT, teams up with 19 Montana curriculum groups to bring you hundreds of sectionals and keynotes on every topic imaginable. DON’T MISS IT!

9/21/2015

9/15/2015

9/15/2015

This fall, Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau and MEA-MFT are celebrating – and rewarding --the state’s seven newest National Board Certified teachers. These teachers recently joined the ranks of the nation’s top teachers by achieving National Board Certification (NBC).

9/8/2015

Nationwide, charter schools drain public tax dollars away from public schools. They flaunt school accreditation and teacher standards that maintain the integrity of quality teaching and learning in public schools. And, now, in Washington State, charter schools are unconstitutional.

8/25/2015

8/21/2015

7/27/2015

Nominee must be an active member of MEA-MFT with at least three years experience working in a Montana school as of January 15 of the award year and must continue as an employee with the district during the elected year and immediate school year following. Nomination deadline: September 10, 2015.

6/26/2015

6/10/2015

Nine Montana school teachers have been selected as the 2015 state finalists for the national prestigious Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), the nation’s highest honor for U.S. mathematics and science teachers in grades kindergarten through 12.

4/7/2015

MDC provides treatment and care for Montana's most disturbed citizens - including those with developmental disabilities as well as mental illness. Most of them could not be treated in community settings. Many would have nowhere to go if MDC closes.

4/2/2015

4/2/2015

Through the Teacher Leadership Initiative (TLI), the National Education Association (NEA) is partnering with the Center for Teaching Quality (CTQ) and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (National Board) to support 300 teachers across 14 sites in advancing as leaders in the profession. TLI is designed for teachers—like you—who want to expand your impact by building your knowledge and skills and then activating your leadership through a culminating capstone experience.

4/1/2015

We are hosting our 2nd annual NBC JumpStart conference June 22-24 in Missoula. JumpStart is are new NBC facilitation process. It brings together teachers for an intensive workshop that is designed to prepare them to be successful NBC candidates. Our program is modeled after a long standing program in Washington State that has facilitated thousands of successful NBC candidates.

3/20/2015

3/18/2015

Jeff Laszloffy, head of the right-wing Montana Family Foundation, has been a ubiquitious presence at the 2015 Montana Legislature. One of the group's main goals is to pass bills that siphon public funds from public schools to private schools.

3/10/2015

3/9/2015

After three hours of testimony most of which supported HB 249 (Noonan) –
Governor Bullock’s Medicaid Expansion proposal - House Human Services did the expected. It killed the bill with a “Do Not Pass” motion. But Medicaid expansion might not be dead for this session.

2/24/2015

2/17/2015

Representative Debra Lamm (R) – Livingston – formerly the primary lobbyist for the anti-public school Montana Family Foundation and then head of the failed Montanans Against Common Core but now state legislator, has introduced a bag full of anti-common core, anti-board of public education bills.

1/20/2015

1/19/2015

"Expanding high school districts and constructing new facilities less than five miles from three existing high achieving schools may increase local control, but in reality it only limits the options for local families."

7/16/2014

6/30/2014

Bozeman math teacher Anne Keith is a National Board Certified Montana Teacher of the Year. She wrote this essay supporting Montana's Career and College Ready Standards, once upon a time referred to as "common core."

6/12/2014

Montana PBS did a great documentary on how the right-wing American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is working in secret to pass its bills in state legislatures -- including Montana's. Don't miss this!

4/14/2014

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) claims its education mission is to “promote excellence in the nation’s educational system,” yet its “model” legislation advocates for policies that defund public services, distort the curriculum, and undercut our educators.

5/6/2014

In honor of Public Service Recognition Week, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution introduced by Senator Jon Tester (Montana) honoring federal, state and local government employees, both civilian and military, for their dedication and continued service to the United States.

3/31/2014

3/27/2014

Some faculty and students at Montana Tech plan an unprecedented boycott of the university’s spring commencement in protest of the ceremony’s featured speakers, a wealthy couple from Bozeman whose critics say have radical social and religious views.

3/17/2014

3/3/2014

MEA-MFT is working in partnership with the Montana Digital Academy, School Administrators of Montana, and the Office of Public Instruction to help schools implement the standards smoothly and on Montana’s terms.

2/10/2014

2/4/2014

Montana School Boards Association (MTSBA), School Administrators of Montana (SAM), MEA-MFT, and the Montana Rural Education Association (MREA) are pleased to come together in support of the Montana Unified School Trust (MUST), whose sole mission is to provide health benefits to Montana’s public schools.

1/21/2014

1/3/2014

Important tax notice: You can deduct your MEA-MFT dues from your taxes, but only if you itemize deductions, and only if your dues plus other miscellaneous deductions add up to at least 2 percent of your adjusted gross income.

12/30/2013

Late in the afternoon of Dec. 27, Judge Mike Menahan granted MEA-MFT's request for a preliminary injunction that prevents the state from implementing a serious GABA reduction come January 1 in the Teachers Retirement System.

10/11/2013

10/11/2013

Pursuant to our belief the 2013 legislature unnecessarily stepped over constitutional and statutory lines when it amended reductions in guaranteed annual benefit adjustments into HB 377 that has amortized and saved the Teachers Retirement System as a pension system, this morning in a Helena district court, MEA-MFT and individual named plaintiffs filed a Complaint for Declaratory Judgment and Relief.

8/22/2013

8/21/2013

MEA-MFT member-leaders Shannon Bender and Jill Cohenour led the charge today at a rally urging Congress to stop corporate tax dodging and restore funding for education and other crucial public services.

8/20/2013

Nationwide, Head Start programs will have to eliminate services for 57,265 children in the coming school year -- including 221 in Montana -- due to sequestration’s automatic, across-the-board spending cuts.

6/10/2013

6/10/2013

Bob Anez to Corrections employees: "No matter how anonymous you are and no matter what you do, the ripples from your role in ensuring the public safety of Montanans reach all corners of this state every single day. Don’t forget the work you do saves lives.”

6/4/2013

The 2013 Montana legislative session was do-or-die time for saving Montana’s public employee pension systems and making them actuarially sound. Working with Governor Steve Bullock and other allies, we did it.

5/6/2013

Today, Governor Steve Bullock signed SB 175 (L.Jones) - to fund public schools - as passed by the legislature. This is the bipartisan bill that MEA-MFT and the rest of Montana's public school community worked so hard together to pass this session.

4/18/2013

4/17/2013

2/20/2013

The following businesses proudly display flyers proclaiming their support for Montana state employees. Please wear your 5/5 pins to these businesses and THANK THEM FOR THEIR SUPPORT!! And please give them your support.

4/8/2013

4/2/2013

MEA-MFT created this program back in the 2007 legislative session. It has already assisted hundreds of qualifying Montana public school teachers. Check it out. You may qualify. Applicatinon deadline: April 30, 2013.

3/28/2013

Faculty at Montana State University Bozeman are voting now on the issue of whether to keep their four-year-old union, the Associated Faculty of MSU (AFMSU). Union supporters on campus produced this great video about their choice to vote YES for AFMSU.

3/22/2013

The Montana Developmental Center survived another close call in the legislature yesterday. The bill to close MDC (SB 254) was originally killed in committee on a bipartisan vote. The bill's sponsor then succeeded in passing a "blast" motion to bring it to the floor of the House for debate and a vote.

1/29/2013

1/24/2013

Several MEA-MFT members testified yesterday at the hearing on HB 13, the state pay plan.
Along with other state and higher education employees, they did an excellent job of making the case for passing HB 13 and lifting the salary freeze.

1/18/2013

1/18/2013

This new Bill Moyers documentary shows how the private sector and state politicians are teaming up to enact laws that increase corporate profits at public expense without public knowledge. They're doing it in Montana, too. Right now.

1/16/2013

1/8/2013

"Did You Know...Stories About the Great Work of Montana's Schools" was created by asking parents, administrators, teachers, and others about some of the innovative programs taking place in their local schools.

12/11/2012

12/10/2012

Public employees shouldn't be held liable for determining whether a person is a legal immigrant or not. That's why MEA-MFT has joined with the Montana Immigrant Justice Alliance in a lawsuit to challenge and enjoin Legislative Referendum 121.

10/22/2012

10/9/2012

Republican candidate for Montana governor Rick Hill said Montana's award-winning teachers are second worst in the nation. (Bitterroot Star, 7-11-12). See what Steve Bullock, MEA-MFT's endorsed candidate for governor, has to say about that.

9/24/2012

8/29/2012

Learn more about the Montana Health Center, a primary care and urgent care clinic for State of Montana employees and their dependents covered on the State’s health plan. The Center opens in Helena Friday August 31.

8/16/2011

8/10/2012

The Montana Supreme Court ruled today upholding the District Court decision that Legislative Referendum 123 is indeed blatantly unconstitutional and therefore will not appear on Montana’s November ballot.

7/30/2012

7/24/2012

Remember ALEC, the corporate group that secretly spoon feeds bills to state legislatures? Including bills to privatize public schools, take away public employees' bargaining rights, and kill teacher tenure? Watch this new video, showing ALEC's efforts to divert public school dollars to private CEOs' bank accounts.

7/18/2012

7/13/2012

Legislative Referendum 123 is a ballot measure that gives tax rebates to the richest Montanans even if it means slashing funds for schools, public safety, and all other public services. It is slated to appear on Montana's November ballot. We can stop it. You can help.

7/10/2012

5/31/2012

MEA-MFT members working in Montana’s Indian reservation schools do heroic work for children. They do it in the face of overwhelming poverty, isolation, and harsh conditions most Americans can’t even imagine – including the politicians in Washington, DC who make policy decisions about education.

2/6/2012

1/19/2012

Our public employee retirement systems are not going bankrupt today or tomorrow or in the immediate future. We have plenty of time to address unfunded liabilities if our legislature would abandon pension-envy politics and hysterical, too predictably partisan, rhetoric.

1/13/2012

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dedicated his life to working for a more just and equal society. He believed that public education was the great arm of justice. He honored public servants as heroes. He believed in labor unions.

11/11/2011

10/31/2011

The vote is in, and history has been made: Members of the Associated Faculty of
Montana State University (AFMSU) have ratified their first collective bargaining agreements. Members voted on the agreements Wednesday, Oct. 26. The vote was counted today at MSU.

10/26/2011

10/11/2011

MEA-MFT has worked extensively with the regents and Commissioner of Higher Education Sheila Stearns to put university and faculty salaries first. “Montana faculty salaries already are among the lowest in the nation,” said Tom Burgess, MEA-MFT’s field consultant for higher education locals.

8/23/2011

Good news for Montana state employees! MEA-MFT, the Montana Public Employees Association, and AFSCME have worked a deal with Governor Schweitzer to freeze, for the next plan year, increases in state employee health insurance costs.

8/17/2011

This week, several communities in Montana will be attacked by one of the most ruthless anti-worker organizations in America: Americans for Prosperity. This right-wing PAC (political action committee) is planning a series of “Running on Empty” demonstrations around Montana. Real Montana working people are fighting back.

8/15/2011

8/12/2011

The American Dream movement is busy this summer telling Congress what Americans really want when it comes to government spending and the economy. There’s a Contract For The American Dream that lays out a progressive alternative to austerity policies.

8/9/2011

Wisconsin voters go to the polls today to recall six of Gov. Scott Walker’s (R) closest state Senate allies. The "Walker 6" spearheaded his move to take away the collective bargaining rights of public employees and ram through a budget devastating to working families.

6/7/2010

7/15/2011

Who's behind efforts to destroy public employee unions in Wisconsin and elsewhere, shove right-wing legislation through state legislatures, and turn over public services to for-profit corporations? Meet ALEC.

8/2/2011

7/22/2011

As we begin this fiscal new year, it’s a good time to think about what your state legislators are working toward: Long-term prosperity for Montana? Or pulling the rug out from under those trying to make a better life for themselves and their communities?

7/21/2011

7/20/2011

MEA-MFT agrees with Billings Gazette opinion: The threat of NCLB sanctions makes no sense. The law is years past its intended reauthorization date with no congressional update. It needs to be significantly revised.

7/12/2011

Many of the remedies being misapplied to the nation's ailing economy are nothing more than public policy myths that grew out of the oil-shock recessions of 40 years ago, Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman told an AFT TEACH conference audience on July 11.

6/16/2011

6/15/2011

All through the 2011 session, MEA-MFT said the money was there to fund public education and public services. And it was. Every dollar of destructive cuts made by the 2011 Legislature were completely unnecessary.

4/1/2011

3/29/2011

MEA-MFT is part of a coalition called the Partnership for Montana's Future, which just completed a video that puts a face -- many faces, actually -- to the Montana Legislature's needless budget cuts. Take a look.

3/3/2011

2/25/2011

2/24/2011

Legislatiave Fiscal Analyst says the State of Montana will collect $97 million more in revenues over the next 2½ years than he projected in mid-November. Yet still the majority party insists on draconian cuts.

2/4/2011

1/31/2011

Governor Brian Schweitzer said it all when he spoke about public education during his State of the State address Jan. 25:
"The best path to a higher paying job is a good education. If you choose to cut funding for public education, you do so as a reflection of your values, because we have the money in the bank." Listen for yourself.

1/11/2011

Public school teachers are some of the most creative folks on the planet. MEA-MFT asked some of our teacher/members for examples of innovative teaching, and we received dozens of replies. Here are a few of them. Move over, Superman.

1/6/2011

11/30/2010

1/2/2011

The following op-ed by MEA-MFT President Eric Feaver appears in the Jan. 2, 2011 Helena Independent Record. A legislated cap on state employee pay will be one of the many serious challenges we face in the 2011 legislature.

12/15/2010

11/30/2010

For most teachers, isolation is one of the biggest obstacles they face when it comes to improving their teaching. But a new pilot program called “Take One” is helping Montana teachers break the isolation in several areas across the state.

10/14/2010

Election 2010 is all about the future: The future of public schools, public services, public employees, and the suvival of the middle class in Montana. In other words, YOUR future. Your vote matters! Read about candidate and initiative recommendations.

8/10/2010

8/10/2010

Several dozen MEA-MFT members from around Montana gave up part of their summers to help set national policy at the national meetings of MEA-MFT’s two national affiliates: the National Education Association (NEA) and American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

8/3/2010

August 3, 2010 - Pensions, corporate accountability and public image issues were front and center at the AFT Public Employees program and policy council's recent meeting in Louisville, Ky. The AFT (American Federation of Teachers) is one of MEA-MFT's two national affiliates, along with the National Education Association. AFT represents state and county government employees along with educators.

6/18/2010

6/2/2010

6/2/2010

MEA-MFT worked closely with Superintendent Denise Juneau and Governor Brian Schweitzer on Montana's application for federal Race to the Top grant funds. Unfortunately, Montana did not receive a grant. Read Eric Feaver's letter to the U.S. Dept. of Education.

4/7/2010

4/7/2010

Some MEA-MFT members in the MUST insurance plan will see huge increase in rates. Montana Sen. Jon Tester pleads our case before Congress. Read message from MEA-MFT President Eric Feaver and watch Sen. Tester's testimony.

4/6/2010

4/2/2010

3/27/2010

Your union, your voice! Hundreds of locally elected MEA-MFT members will gather to determine budget, dues, and priorities for their state union -- AND to celebrate MEA-MFT's 10th anniversary. Read more.

10/10/2009

10/8/2009

he American Federation of Teachers, one of MEA-MFT's two national affiliates, has created a new e-newsletter dedicated to the AFT’s Faculty and College Excellence (FACE) campaign and other issues related to academic staffing in higher education.

10/7/2009

Oct 7, ’09 - After more than ten months of bargaining, MEA-MFT members in the University Faculty Association (University of Montana) have a tentative agreement for a new collective bargaining agreement.